Kingston University's award-winning Bright Ideas competition celebrates sparking 20 years of innovation

Kingston University’s award-winning enterprise programme Bright Ideas marked its twentieth anniversary at an event which saw former winners, staff, students, alumni and businesses celebrate two decades of innovation, entrepreneurship and success.

The initiative provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their groundbreaking ideas, pitch to experienced business representatives and turn their ideas into reality.  The event celebrated the achievements of all students and graduates who have been a part of the programme with speeches from academics, business leaders and returning Bright Ideas alumni.

Launched in 2004, Bright Ideas was the brainchild of Head of Enterprise Education Dr Martha Mador and has helped hundreds of students start their own businesses since its inception. Those taking part in the competition receive support and advice from businesses on their ideas and learn how to pitch to potential investors.

Dr Mador said she was proud of the way the programme had grown over 20 years, having originally began as a collaboration with six other universities. “It’s been a fantastic journey as we’ve grown the programme from just a few students being interested in entrepreneurship to having 800-900 apply each year. To be a part of so many student’s journeys in learning about the skills they need to launch a business is truly humbling.”

Attendees also heard how Kingston’s innovative Future Skills campaign is transforming the way the University teaches its students by embedding nine key attributes in to its courses to prepare students for a digital-first world and enhance graduate opportunities, and how Bright Ideas feeds into the University’s strategic approach.

Registered nurse and CEO of Neo-Innovations UK Ltd, Neomi Bennett BEM completed her nursing degree at Kingston in 2012 and won the Bright Ideas competition in 2011 for her invention of the multi-award-winning Neo-slip, a life-saving product that aids the application of hospital stockings.

The entrepreneur, who founded Equality 4 Black Nurses, was part of a Q&A panel at the event and discussed her experience of the Bright Ideas programme. “Bright Ideas changed my life, I never thought about going into business originally, I just wanted to be a nurse,” She explained. “The knowledge and experience I gained while on the programme was second to none and the courage I gained from the whole experience has really helped me progress professionally – I’d recommend any student to apply for it.”

Almost 1,000 volunteers and businesses have helped support enterprise education and Bright Ideas at Kingston University over the years, including Santander Universities, Lebara and Salutem Care and Education. One of the recent businesses lending its support is digital employee experience platform 1E, whose CEO, Mark Banfield, graduated with a geography degree from Kingston in 1998.

Mr Banfield was a Bright Ideas judge for the first time in 2023 and took part in the Q&A panel at the event. “Innovation is embedded into the DNA of 1E and how I work,” he said. “Bright Ideas takes young people with great potential and gives them an opportunity to be innovative and bring great products to the market. I am thrilled 1E can support the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

• Find out more about research and enterprise at Kingston University.